Braised Cabbage with Mushrooms and Ham – a delicious way to prepare cabbage. You can also call it a cabbage stir fry, or another interesting name: Solyanka recipe.
I have a friend who claims she doesn’t cook, and yet every time I am at her house, she whips up something outrageously delicious, usually with an interesting twist on classic dishes. Take, for example, this braised cabbage with mushrooms and ham.
This outrageously delicious cabbage stir-fry recipe is also known as Solyanka (or Soljanka). It is very popular in Russia and Germany, and it’s usually made with cabbage, a little bit of pickled cucumber (for saltiness), and a broth. Sometimes the meat is added, too. Well, my friend took this dish to a completely new level, by reducing the broth basically to zero and making it more like a stew, adding wild mushrooms and ham, and using only a very moderate amount of pickled cucumber to add just the right saltiness. She also used only about 2 tablespoons of tomato paste for color and to create a very subtle tomato flavor. Oh, my deliciousness! This has become my new comfort food and a favorite way to eat cabbage! Just take a look at this medley of veggies: can you smell the wild mushrooms infused with garlic flavor, tomato, cabbage, ham, and pickle flavors?!
Because the vegetables here are cooked in a very little liquid, and simmered at a low temperature (without boiling), all the flavors mingle nicely, and what you get is a perfectly prepared stew! You can serve this braised cabbage stir-fry (or Solyanka if you wish) as is, or on top of rice or quinoa!
This outrageously delicious cabbage stir-fry is also known as Solyanka (or Soljanka). Made with cabbage, a little bit of pickled cucumber (for saltiness), and a broth. So good!
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion , small, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons water
- 8 cups cabbage , finely shredded
- 1 pickle finely chopped
- 3 cups mushrooms , fresh, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups ham chopped
- salt and black pepper
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat, add chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until softened for about 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat, if necessary, to avoid burning the onions and garlic.
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Add tomato paste and about 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet, and mix, cooking on medium heat, to make sure the tomato paste is well combined with onions and garlic.
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On medium heat, add shredded cabbage, finely chopped pickled cucumber, chopped mushrooms and chopped ham to the tomato paste mixture, mix to combine. Add more water if needed, by tablespoons, to make sure your mixture remains moist but not soupy.
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Reduce heat to simmer and let the vegetables braise on very low heat for about 40 minutes to make sure all flavors blend well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Julia, this is BEAUTIFUL. Braised cabbage is so underrated, and I was honestly just craving it earlier this week. I’m so glad I waited until you posted this recipe, though 🙂 I’ve never heard of soljanka before but it seems like a wonderful version. Thank you!
Gosh, this looks so excellent! I love braising things, and cabbage is one of my faves. Such a terrific combo of flavors – gotta try this! Thanks so much.
I love your recipes and cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables to eat. I am going to have to make this at home.
Julia: I love when you feature ethnic recipes here. This braised cabbage looks simple yet quite comforting and delish. It is a dish that I’d be very happy to eat…Pinned!
Cabbage is one of those underused produce. This looks so tasty 🙂
Your braised cabbage looks soooooooooooooo GOOD!
LOVE the pickled cucumber for added zip in this ethnic dish, Julia! My German-Hungarian hunger pangs are kicking in major! Cannot wait to make this comfort meal soon this fall. A keeper recipe, for sure! Thanks for sharing, girl!
This sounds so different than the things I normally eat – but I love everything in it! I especially like all the mushrooms in here!
Thanks so much for passing this dish on! It looks wonderful – I totally understand why it is your fav way to eat cabbage! I have some cabbage I was gonna cook tonight and this recipe gives me an idea to take cabbage to the next level 🙂
Such a delicious looking veggie dish. I adore cabbage so I know I’ll love this. Thanks for sharing Julia!